tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36273143726943073672024-03-06T04:11:00.576+00:00Joseph and Jenny McDermott FamilyJoseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-53805123883745532162008-12-31T17:07:00.022+00:002009-01-12T11:50:10.821+00:002008 Our Year in Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year 2009!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I regret that I didn't have time to put together a Christmas letter this year. We have heard from many of you and I look forward to that each year. The year has been eventful, but our biggest news is the arrival of our fourth child in October. Here is just a compilation of pictures that tell a little about each of us and what we've been up to this past year while living in England. It starts with November and goes backwards.</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--November--</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Mandy LOVES ballet. Here she is at her British Preschool at her ballet show on Thanksgiving day. She insisted on wearing her purple leotard even though we told her everyone else would be wearing pink.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HqSDXG59r-y9brZDi2aSzA?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu4oy6DdyBFq8_pZPSQdUUOCI8bLOvV_F1eVGxPEVnjNeZPL1XA7sk10-HROJPsxVMqMiW4m7nxgjSY122WNl9xjnLeICfwpt4cUGnWDHcPUDliAfQPBiRMIwTvDx7kp7UuRZbV1b7yQ/s400/IMG_8304.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Here she is earlier in the season before her first ballet class. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span></span></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3GxhpZZlU-hRpImOlnktmw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SRbYWjdnelI/AAAAAAAAI-0/sgPZLzVDIg8/s400/P9180475.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--October--</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurNewDaughter#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Andrea Marie</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> joined our family on the 18th of October. She was just under 8 lbs. at birth and she has grown fast.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/15gFnQFcBsBF91K5OP8CBw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbnWt9rCy4RAIPEwgG4VV-5DKG5-uueJkmr_HskSKwuxW4retAKaL2iXjGP1_-XTvCmSy5cfWQcZ2UXjrJ11Qba1W63tFminP6MqzXJQmlnSVBCaI3norl0MMYlm17c5zruw6CXbEidU/s400/IMG_6296.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">On Halloween, we dressed with a Peter Pan theme, with Andrea as one of the Lost Boys. Andrea LOVES being bundled in her coat.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9S1QYrIQ1UgdIg58J-THXg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT45FJLgbCf4oOXVz39JMtucFpkKAERp7P767HayQU1y2b5qryJgmijA5mHNYqFNGJbaqkSmT5a6Ma0FkNrRqLDzSpkKYi9cFUrkuvBHOAvC9-wg_Hw34kcODEHjyBUvZirrwUPfEFLSg/s400/IMG_6789.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Here she is on her blessing day</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6CRZNDHb1lXcs8iM3PLRZg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_PGJBC-mBSyXIwjAfiUqQmNIvuES8uLevRfyZeibf2yd2PEL9hSshywpz6cq6wS5W_7LaB1w8ncJP37HssImiUfuarOGOSuABiANG6zVJ6yuYIdqdZ4zqMivWQn-zWPmAfFB2gR0Lt4/s400/IMG_6906.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">And at one month old asleep in her swing</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SSejsA8h_1bGdea2pX3Cfg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsJew-CTXwEvXR4t-UTYsZpBDJ_l6amcDRVnqqJzoHjIgL3BOu1h3xKDlSQRBufqqxltLEU14PTsgBo1pcRx__60nOqtXSjy80g8XhNpIaHuOm4lUicBggmlwKzzgC0cVai1RjijRb9o/s400/IMG_7794.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--September--</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">On Labor day in September we went to Old Hunstanton Beach. The kids loved picking up seashells and crabs and burying their feet in the sand.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C1MifLQRYpwNG54YzaNC0A?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV6EQlezHRIjdxIi9-OtpVvurjroiZmmzpmvm2-svy8MKUhrfhqB0w2tRGzNUbY3w_Cggm6M1dVTYtlc5_5fmvES4RkTtsCmmaaSeGzlBWVATko-l33fzehaz63W9Rt50AGqzxJCWPfk/s400/IMG_5533.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mkA2-wmhKyBsUC-nqLRB_Q?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMSrC5X_IN-LulMUGIiihdxBQUXxQ3cNQbQRkXjbjzIRcyg9Wojs91wwqG2WAvXEfStOHgo9hq55zCWYlCcHFjAyR0CyUvJXc4DkFVu5hUqj6wuIcM-yOHrTQqwEDVVxL7y-kVfSFToE/s400/IMG_5534.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r-RFBHU-SvAnAgARr0oCYA?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYDys3rRoSU8vpEEPbX_LQo3Y5dHuJAMY8_mxlfCfikjWBn2AP9uLcwjHfV_OYdJm26Z9zheaH1rhmXfOJ5S58SirFl5FUS03jp-m6vxp1t5s5g6MQchEiM8UnpKIyXxaZx-79lDO0z4/s400/IMG_5496.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--August--</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Joseph went to Scotland as he visited a lab for work. Here he is by the Harry Potter Train.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g8Mk_JB4HEHVb095uj2drw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SKX1QW10oGI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/-hBwUx3fS84/s400/IMGP3223.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Joseph had a conference in </span></span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Garmisch#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Garmisch</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">, Germany, so we made it a vacation at the resort for American Military. Joseph enjoys taking photos, and he was prepared with his tripod for these pictures.</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XsbGaZVc4TZZmi7FfnhbUg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz-ggBIoO6Nxq9jioQpRy4KYynh19dFqcbQGAfnRQ2a3LBftibmcf5Pgk3kyd008GaBnTF9OPv_383KikXCBa3QMkJ3SCFQKvm4H8iIBVByR2YCYVLyAqNPbGRtYzpPKPZm-Yg2KPQ20/s400/IMG_3715.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N8_NX9ohRtCSYIuXyLYTmQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY18fSk7s0K5n17w6bFdNL1ac8b1zHvvGD6DH8pX-_KGZVUuHwI7ygiD-l4-9spzfMzE8ga-okT_d7cbdaz2-Do4JlEACLqApSs1nfWeoP2M7J-6FGHC8jF6dbOXji_rQv1xs7PBy2_No/s400/IMG_3992.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--July--</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">The 4th of July was full of fun. Here we are at the annual carnival on base.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uLCtO8bs-WjHBksMbVkP-w?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYw9MtIhTCrS4WJAdaJ5-wuzLEMToaGNh4g2oQhVlqzORxGiMH75D311ryGxvBtHswP5qaddNQBlRjJ9GBOrQIP_S5X3FI8If-Z4qcBV8e6uF1JgruN9bkld6ZHYvuXAyXZzUXTnb0gY/s400/IMG_1462.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ioD5gzipZdKiSDyVvrhbbw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_30_9A2xCyDwbd2VBzd7xIBiFcKhlp9Tg8SAerNTohnOEhuiL8EDHOrW_CK1IpPQbkHtXfh_rKkbgIdjS4tIQjqYjWb_RZvHDuNIH-awMoL-gtEZN9skSzRysu5XQOGOck8Mns9IjfGE/s400/IMG_1475.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qb6b4MdRdqfWvRFgR7iIwg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SHZc6Q6PRWI/AAAAAAAAHtg/jKknKVMDvZc/s400/IMG_1467.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Joseph's family was in town so we went to </span></span></span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/PisaAndFlorence#" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span></span></span></span></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/PisaAndFlorence#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Pisa and Florence</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> with them.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Here is Joseph at the Leaning Tower. It "leans" differently in pictures depending on angle they are taken at. Joseph LOVES traveling and seeing sites. We were in Pisa for his Birthday.</span></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9UtGtUVT2cvzxWkUiLS5sQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqnx9-lRQY6YRWr45RIWrn7CEvZ7U88rxYINQmc6DUTnH_yXflRbQUzlh1_se2mSMcZq0GjYFg8-fkdi9C_MuRqJVWWngOHN-DdnToEwZKrQxyfNk1NDDUVhWvUr4Mloj2yfgfi4csec/s400/IMG_1727.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Our family near the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rqeuCSDaw2GmCffJ5H4JQA?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs1ecIPOqKlGOXwUGs25M1GRt9XdCV_cQ5J7yqDr7rhiz1LIjGO9VnvLyluW0tkDBx8unf_UqN_wOh2oM79Kudhhl6yNgHa7HrFHGcc8jNfZxIlM7Xc_VNfozl_kd2QNDBbmz9XhRBYA/s400/IMGP1710.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Emily enjoyed seeing the local street artists' work.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PiEv2KEGIg9FRyaVVmUNqw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYX-aH_9VEpdwTsbInSInxu5vO5tHAt06-C2hTqkEtSpKrQCQ6f2RZPVAqR2ZADdinG9RUG3pBLpT3FYO-wAcWnEHInJYsF-JqwteaVV_qIJD5nOR82RxQ_JUE0qFzMEwt8AXw5Xr6Mk/s400/IMG_2137.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Emily and Joey checked out this iguana while we waited in line at the Uffizi.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I8Pv4IOunXeQ3CaJncRtsQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SHZasyFsU-I/AAAAAAAAHpQ/r5_w1qamxk0/s400/IMG_1961.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">After the family got back from Pisa and Florence, Joseph's mom watched the kids while Joseph and Jenny went to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Venice#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Venice</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> for a late anniversary get away. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Jenny's favorite part of Venice was having uninterrupted time with her Sweetheart.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="text-align: left;width: auto; "><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dMLmat-AwDaLePtcxG1EKg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIMN-08JEkm5bJPIt57VK6UM_bBTphmxtJpkd5fHpciV8OSCoiaLzZUWrBRuwJ069qkctiuH9H5Q0t_0GMAZtpqmaN-dc28uGfmCWMVR925iuFgWT20tkcOZAQmzK1vpn3bRimqW4wqg/s400/IMG_2298.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">In Burano, one of the islands near Venice, the homes are brightly colored. Jenny was 6 months pregnant in this picture. </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zdbbJQles2uOMWeOniIpiQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SIo0jHtFEiI/AAAAAAAAH2I/V1QxCy4PGv0/s400/IMG_2994.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Amidst all the travel we managed to squeeze in a birthday party for Emily. She LOVES art. So we had a painting party at the craft center on base. She LOVES animals, especially dogs and cats.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cuCTRD9y3SqtUM9LfaTeZw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G-l_m58VAMWZreegySi7p3kybh_K44zfSN6ujyLhuUP1JbioaNfVkhUeWMVxrChJmiMcc8r8c-dl_w9xIAs2RU-KP1xoDHvctU159dEeMjOQVrJReXV1h1fWFI3h2e2woSXjyYdTgVI/s400/IMG_3281.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sD5WmAAxv5Vpgpu5hXxr5w?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9EdSz8HyPGGpeN4I3h4wiRMAjlxe3iyF-6JhNVfwjyaNn0s-QDOxYQ9vw4zvrOtscIDw0jTTZtcrHzPY9RrSBNSQagUtG4EECzwBvwpgk_SxkYFXa93k3CjvTEhiITNsTocpfOHW-DY/s400/IMG_3291.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--June-- </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">In June we went to </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Ireland#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Ireland,</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> where the McDermott family originated.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Here is Emily at Lough Key Park</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="text-align: left;width: auto; "><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9L6R7XptOmYd_iExnFCdYg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dwuT8nbKNxwoKntAx4ubw5a4ON8HsqNWOQlPFHdfw0sCDc7EXbm81NPvHG_jFMWfTBXOAeHDxvj1dMgtpOspYCcjvjDvfmU7GYAumy2dS19sra_OGRI1CUTXvP9n7sZF37eW98bvYjg/s400/IMG_0966.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">The Kids painted with Quills at the King House (museum).</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DophLFKFGyL_fL6yZ88K-g?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nLFdigkcl9iSmZiYOhUqC2u7-fFiJFjd8GUgIn776_qzurww_NVYW4sTLJ-3jdrG8sxeiuF5Lgct3BmZSgQfLBOPJy-CSeIBnO2CZtEq5Kgk0VapqlvSeX7jgY6CBZz4yTIu1LLeASw/s400/IMG_1070.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--May--</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Emily's 1st grade end-of-the-year play. She was a beautiful monarch butterfly.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f6g5x-MoCqRa_wVoKZMg3g?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97pJxm076pLI4umdhyphenhyphen7qFAItykXUYqNKNNKtGrcJqmpP44XtelWraRWvQ9tc7gLOJ5Zib7WKPcEpIyFXz3hR_PzrltC4DK_YUJOQOiyvEBoOB7Io3crncbD2dC_xhzOWNGpX7aT6IGQQ/s400/IMG_0378.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td face="arial,sans-serif" size="11px" style=" text-align:right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">We also celebrated Mandy's and Jenny's birthdays.<br /><br />Here is Mandy stringing flowers for her necklace at her 3rd birthday party. She LOVES pink and requested an all pink birthday party.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6_gsj2mAoEKlzbzmjSQb4A?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SEOI4XxfayI/AAAAAAAAHVA/Mns3NHaGJWc/s400/P5170033.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="text-align: left;width: auto; "><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XvAwoMAUJQuWi9Uwj1XBGQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sxF2varJ11AqMDovrv-FZ-IJPVW-FH6p-D7CFeEBsfFk8g-qTsSg4qpGEqqrkHzlEEzdZYeDk733FEZ9IrOIu1K8Whd9D4Zz6E_AqyuBUl9QAISlnMwlAp-5LWeKQQtZrDt-VsoKjAc/s400/P5170050.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Jenny LOVES musicals so we went to the Lion King in London for her birthday.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/skruvim3T9ludqXbDdeSzw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ACK2D7pEKbKi3AMKqFvyhJHI9Ig1ma8kFgunytzkt2CS0DumwmXOb08OhwIZajDOZ7EAVPiBiRPQi_3rmO1DMhQmPX-80O5nIwRqHtuKXZTtry7G3rmb0KKrgdaWw4QCRIGjAtLW8To/s400/IMG_0116.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1oWw_SSBssjXwNgEkEsPOg?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/SDpFyBebc7I/AAAAAAAAHOw/XOleNHtSCPo/s400/IMG_0187.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align: right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NoLJpmKVJeKjG_vVwJrkew?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu56wplDA0-MQPu8ly9RumQTP65ZAck6aJLOCtYidSmzZzFiKlRpZNP0UDHDeCW6nHCHXTi4HLgd6BDBoDRpqqvJ5u7pT1HixaJn6OChXfgcNdYkfnUvR7ZAEWvaPkp4kdcjK_3Jv4c4/s400/IMG_0132.jpg" /></span></span></a></td></tr><tr><td face="arial, sans-serif" style=" text-align: right; "></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--April--</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">I</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">n April we went to </span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Edinburgh, Scotland</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">. Joseph had some work at the lab south of there and so we made a family vacation out of it.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">We visited Alnwick Castle, where some of Harry Potter was filmed.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w6fUcyvuyvNCGLa9GJz3gA?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3OVeXwRO9izRT8XUfSZnrWuDeygOMXZA0qifUAWD_N__IEXow44i1UbA5yhG2oaxqbJd5jPT0Pr_JaYDk6a-YlaCTOmnUGGxLOFBBSydXgicUvVzVLNmWc_-Ag9wZxNKUvXrpD939wc/s400/P4070116.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="text-align: left;width: auto; "><tbody><tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P1Izxmc2DcVx_67mjSl8WQ?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxxrvNYosq0Hjzlx3hhfzYqPslrfcT4BiO0AWgsNXlV6D3LnIytwGr6_cemH1Xk_tlMTby4dpk7Mq8erj3tx74DkwbW_22ty47AfZ41Zwd_91m_rxzskmGyMNyOxMN2v-V8ywab413bo/s400/P4070134.JPG" /></span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">In the courtyard of the castle they had Medieval activities and costumes to dress up in.</span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ryaUo02_nqyRT26Tn4wEKw?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqx0AseblBb67tWgef68tXs1TnsVrXVVFRA8uxiVnzxWBrmvme955utmemAVYkWKjv0OCUNPvg5oK6wSKaFZ9vWQaxeAi1ggnQA2zC5Tz5CjKbuto1E1hhSffKiz13ZTSgJ75VYvH5n0/s400/P4070095.JPG" /></span></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">We give our kids the chance to earn private dates with Mom or Dad by getting ready for school and helping around the house. On one of these private dates, Emily and her dad went to Thetford. She had a great time feeding the birds and loved seeing them run off with a whole piece of bread!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuLcrNxZhbJ_iGkT-2oMYRksEsGVPM2csKSsOJMizKmujeuY_zBBcIgexSoyvUrxu7_tccaKcbaLOOl4SiA4DZhoGj9C_5uFSzRcDznppViKyGa2YxxlbGWr3ex-_fOmNSo9r0EsZavo/s400/IMG_5938.jpg" /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Mandy tagged along on Joey's request for a candy date at the park.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYN9ueV3asSKSl13LAvQuV6Km9XiqqjTZD5XfnWroFJFMdIJSfnsv7GC-ZIooY1fn4emUeLaYYTwZlTDgbFT0qLBzuXz6k7KVxsKoQVQtEOU7wHjY9AoGBRkS1ePd3V9iiv4aOPVat9s/s400/IMG_5554.jpg" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--March--</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter?authkey=gtYqcuTwsik#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Easter</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> morning it snowed. It was the first snow for Mandy and the first one that Emily and Joey remember.</span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/44S9Scr02I-DYBFfbWMcxA?feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ilzyx6WHYbCybcelIwiJCoBG_WcIRZ0yFEt1MMObij0b8OjluIvSIMiRoJmOmmZ_a6go3ii7dsZKTaFMPwQNFT5vYwZg1hbG0CaDrTkG247OO6cshn2oWA6eKjIhKMb2cO1cO3_ZRGs/s400/DSCF6587.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="text-align: left;width: auto; "><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2nDBLk5lS7OQ1ZbusAuJWA?authkey=gtYqcuTwsik&feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/R_CrXauXYGI/AAAAAAAAG34/CKcZDAjdajY/s400/DSCF6573.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Februa</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ry--</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">In February we found out we were expecting our fourth child.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--January--</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Joey LOVES Spiderman and his favorite colors are red and blue. Here he is at his 5th Birthday Party.</span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mgAiiWz71FrFN7zwn0bXXQ?authkey=ML67wIWY_F4&feat=embedwebsite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/R5J7LalVqQI/AAAAAAAAGcg/UiBTOGoXShs/s400/DSCF5776.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td style=" text-align:right;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br />We hope you have a wonderful year in 2009!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">With Love, the McDermotts</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">--Joseph, Jenny, Emily (7), Joey (5), Mandy (3), and Andrea (2 months)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><br /></span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-60781567932933314692008-06-27T08:46:00.001+01:002008-08-09T13:06:27.758+01:00IrelandWe took a trip to Ireland, to visit the birthplace of the McDermott Family.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660026047200370"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVMp5aF_HI/AAAAAAAAHW8/NIWPAhvLhIQ/s400/IMG_0851.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We flew into Dublin, then drove across Ireland to Roscommon and Sligo Counties. Here is Joseph in Carrick-on-Shannon, a bright little town on the Shannon River.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660066212803218"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVMsPCUcpI/AAAAAAAAHXE/O3LA9HCMXGw/s400/IMG_0866.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660125423602466"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVMvrnRiyI/AAAAAAAAHXM/xO6dlqXIEJU/s144/IMG_0889.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660180888707714"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVMy6PL4oI/AAAAAAAAHXU/el5dyd9ssio/s144/IMG_0893.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660225848491554"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVM1hubviI/AAAAAAAAHXc/LJkmMPLLXk4/s144/IMG_0898.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660346112530626"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVM8hvnWMI/AAAAAAAAHXs/y3qEybs8YmU/s144/IMG_0950.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mandy and Grandpa visited Boyle Abbey. This abbey was built on land donated by the MacDermot Family in the 1100's.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660444372367522"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNCPyleKI/AAAAAAAAHYA/oqXNkiHwVNY/s800/IMG_0971.jpg" /></a><br /><br />MacDermot Castle sits on an island in Lough Key. The MacDermot Clan ruled the Kingdom of Moylurg from this location, from the 12th Century through the early 1600s.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660481172777890"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNEY4fK6I/AAAAAAAAHYI/zx8vjcBsqlQ/s288/IMG_0988.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660393482758562"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVM_SNjqaI/AAAAAAAAHX4/97pxwVaQIuo/s288/IMG_0966.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The kids enjoyed playing in Lough Key Forest Park.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660852284215330"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNZ_YWUCI/AAAAAAAAHZo/HM0nPPaTXHo/s400/IMG_1130.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Here is a view of MacDermot Castle from the other side of the Lough.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660598225458690"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNLM8BVgI/AAAAAAAAHY4/r9hpsfIMQ7Q/s400/IMG_1052.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Here is Emily outside of the bed and breakfast where we stayed. The gates behind lead to Lough Key Forest Park. Prior to the 1950s, they were the gates to Rockingham Demesne.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660636106302642"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNNaDhJLI/AAAAAAAAHZA/zdhstlrXEmA/s400/IMG_1055.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660678199161858"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNP23PNAI/AAAAAAAAHZI/08bWd7OFlCE/s144/IMG_1062.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216865595531839954"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGYHnnahydI/AAAAAAAAHlY/0apWMv1My7k/s144/IMG_1064.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660721768282370"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNSZK7OQI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/m09eM6dGIJE/s144/IMG_1070.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660754950479730"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNUUyLX3I/AAAAAAAAHZY/eHeFOYyYhzA/s144/IMG_1086.jpg" /></a><br /><br />King House in Boyle, built about 1730 and recently restored. The King family was given 30,000 acres of land around Boyle in the 1600's that was seized from the MacDermot Clan.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660794551581970"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNWoT0PRI/AAAAAAAAHZg/B6Jl2moLHLk/s400/IMG_1123.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Richard and Joseph in Boyle, near a bridge over the Boyle River.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660888143745810"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNcE97UxI/AAAAAAAAHZw/5Uoxo1239IY/s400/IMG_1138.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Joseph and his grandpa in Sligo.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216660950744101266"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNfuLA8ZI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/0CqxeEqDwB4/s400/IMG_1140.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661364741734498"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVN30bvgGI/AAAAAAAAHa8/2d956BjbLO8/s144/IMG_1216.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661305743798722"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVN0YpiccI/AAAAAAAAHa0/MsmtPuo5Wi0/s144/IMG_1208.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661198526343266"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNuJO56GI/AAAAAAAAHak/dqFHuT4zpbE/s144/IMG_1187.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661244594419922"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNw02Y-NI/AAAAAAAAHas/_LP6Jo9_cIk/s144/IMG_1202.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661160633920530"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNr8EpbBI/AAAAAAAAHac/TAtd8ntE4Y8/s144/IMG_1180.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216663308793949954"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVPo-l6LwI/AAAAAAAAHgA/0G6cqR7jA_E/s144/IMG_1229.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661005365895090"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVNi5p3X7I/AAAAAAAAHaE/WeVa0MaJKu8/s144/IMG_1166.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />The guys visited Sligo Abbey, while the ladies took a nap.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661739430272082"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVONoQc3FI/AAAAAAAAHcA/ikcaTdMJBHQ/s288/IMG_1362.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661806979257410"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVORj5YlEI/AAAAAAAAHcI/nAjzt3OgCA0/s288/IMG_1367.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We headed to Dublin, where we visited the cathedral.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661891436841026"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVOWehpCEI/AAAAAAAAHcY/MftJ0mve_fA/s288/IMG_1375.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661839126082738"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVOTbpyNLI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/ydKa12OCtXo/s288/IMG_1374.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The crypt under the cathedral was cool and dark.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661934099311842"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVOY9dKrOI/AAAAAAAAHcg/ljCN7LqRubs/s288/IMG_1377.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jhmcdermott/Ireland/photo?authkey=gr1A38SWOVs#5216661385835072098"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SGVN5DAySmI/AAAAAAAAHbE/B0XKwe-owkA/s288/IMG_1310.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was raining as we left the cathedral, but with rain comes rainbows.Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-7160225352835145312008-06-02T20:39:00.003+01:002008-06-02T20:54:20.702+01:00Lion KingFor Jenny's birthday, the family went to Lion King in London.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548744424158018"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFghebc0I/AAAAAAAAHN0/7FwIKc-yZtw/s288/IMG_0116.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548830323503970"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFlhebc2I/AAAAAAAAHOE/bOvDJEet_qQ/s288/IMG_0132.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As driving in London is difficult, we took the tube from Epping.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548791668798290"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFjRebc1I/AAAAAAAAHN8/zAgMVDplSWs/s288/IMG_0127.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548877568144242"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFoRebc3I/AAAAAAAAHOM/CNClAXxsnL8/s288/IMG_0167.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After the show, we wandered London, checking out the eclectic shops. Emily especially liked the butterflies for sale at a booth at Covent Garden.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548950582588306"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFshebc5I/AAAAAAAAHOg/AoG8nS9-msw/s288/IMG_0176.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204548997827228578"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFvRebc6I/AAAAAAAAHOo/ZkKd7rNsW8w/s288/IMG_0180.jpg" /></a><br /><br />At Covent Garden we saw street performers. This guy juggled knives while he told jokes and balanced on a box on top of a tube.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204558360855933970"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpOQRebdBI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/1L18UPVokWs/s288/IMG_0198.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204549045071868850"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpFyBebc7I/AAAAAAAAHOw/n8eJHFE-mmY/s288/IMG_0187.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />This performer juggled at the top of a ladder and made jokes in a funny French accent.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204549268410168306"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpF_Bebc_I/AAAAAAAAHPQ/FYw2BxdtHVQ/s288/IMG_0233.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204549161035985874"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpF4xebc9I/AAAAAAAAHPA/K6H3FLMa2HY/s288/IMG_0211.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Before heading home, we went to Trafalgar Square.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/OurHomeInEngland/photo#5204549302769906690"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SDpGBBebdAI/AAAAAAAAHPY/OW6yICMEJqg/s400/IMG_0270.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday Jenny!Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-91151401869427344642008-05-26T08:05:00.003+01:002008-06-02T20:39:05.699+01:00YorkshireWe drove through Yorkshire on our return from Edinburgh.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383304753667090"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JobmiXBI/AAAAAAAAHAg/hj8g4WQ10iw/s800/P4070033.JPG" /></a><br />We stopped at Holy Island. Twice per day, for five hours each time, the ocean covers the only road. We made it on to the island, but this is as close as we got to Lindisfarne Castle, as the tide was coming in even as we arrived.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383343408372770"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JqrmiXCI/AAAAAAAAHAo/Jy9b32Ti7gQ/s400/P4070054.JPG" /></a><br />We passed Bamburgh Castle as we headed down the coast.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383377768111154"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JsrmiXDI/AAAAAAAAHAw/HkpHR8kFM4g/s800/P4070062.JPG" /></a><br />Here is Joseph at Alnwick Castle, where we spent the afternoon. This castle was used as the set for Hogwartz.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383407832882242"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JubmiXEI/AAAAAAAAHA4/wsHvnqf5X_g/s800/P4070078.JPG" /></a><br />The courtyard at Alnwick Castle has a statue of a knight.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383446487587922"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JwrmiXFI/AAAAAAAAHBA/wkDjr67eZC0/s400/P4070082.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383480847326306"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JyrmiXGI/AAAAAAAAHBM/L0XkR-1jWLM/s400/P4070085.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383562451704962"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1J3bmiXII/AAAAAAAAHBc/syNUvfJleOw/s800/P4070095.JPG" /></a><br />In Alnwick Castle is an area where visitors can dress in royal garb, joust on a moving platform, go through a mirror maze, and do about 10 other activities.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383635466149026"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1J7rmiXKI/AAAAAAAAHBs/9frVRYDU2eQ/s400/P4070116.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383064235498402"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JabmiW6I/AAAAAAAAG_o/hqelejPvkHg/s400/P4070134.JPG" /></a><br />Here the kids are a Hogwartz... I mean, Alnwick Csatle.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383094300269490"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JcLmiW7I/AAAAAAAAG_w/8vcFPIVAuTc/s400/P4070146.JPG" /></a><br />Parts of the interior on display are spectacular, but photography was prohibited in those areas. So, this is one of the few photos I was able to take inside the castle.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187383193084517346"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1Jh7miW-I/AAAAAAAAHAI/er_xGWIeaB4/s400/P4070187.JPG" /></a><br />A walkway leads along the castle wall.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382123637660210"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IjrmiWjI/AAAAAAAAG8o/Pa0FBHRDVT4/s400/P4090381.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Our next destination was York. The cathedral in York is immense and beautiful, but difficult to capture in a photograph because of its size.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382097867856418"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IiLmiWiI/AAAAAAAAG8g/WvMZhwZmEv0/s288/P4090379.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382033443346946"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IebmiWgI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/HrqOsgYpJSQ/s288/P4090386.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382007673543154"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1Ic7miWfI/AAAAAAAAG8I/YW_UMREwrGA/s288/P4090390.JPG" /> </a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381917479229890"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IXrmiWcI/AAAAAAAAG7w/PkNyPmKF2o0/s288/P4090449.JPG" /> </a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381775745309058"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IPbmiWYI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/xbDlezEp_pc/s400/P4090499.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381698435897698"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IK7miWWI/AAAAAAAAG7A/DJihVcn0EuQ/s400/P4090560.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381608241584434"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IFrmiWTI/AAAAAAAAG6o/fWzboW--p7Y/s288/P4090564.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381642601322818"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IHrmiWUI/AAAAAAAAG6w/dnFX3ZX8bis/s288/P4090565.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187381573881846050"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IDrmiWSI/AAAAAAAAG6g/OzOMICGZgH8/s400/P4090571.JPG" /></a>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-50688573477514890252008-05-26T07:24:00.003+01:002008-05-26T08:05:29.041+01:00EdinburghIn April, we took a trip to Edinburgh. The old part of the city is rugged and beautiful, with an angular skyline of Gothic churches and mighty castles overlooking the valley. The sound of bagpipes greeted us as we stepped into the city.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5190853370242698018"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SAmdo050iyI/AAAAAAAAHEU/bmcDmufY_fM/s800/DSCF6647.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5190853202738973458"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SAmdfE50ixI/AAAAAAAAHEM/7oSyytbOnLs/s800/DSCF6655.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382359860861570"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IxbmiWoI/AAAAAAAAG9U/evxp2JDqLi8/s400/DSCF6750.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382325501123186"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IvbmiWnI/AAAAAAAAG9M/Cr0hhnIoqlk/s400/DSCF6742.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382389925632658"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1IzLmiWpI/AAAAAAAAG9c/iF3f0W8o2mQ/s400/DSCF6751.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382441465240226"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1I2LmiWqI/AAAAAAAAG9k/3fHG4W51PHk/s400/DSCF6759.JPG" /></a><br />A woman demonstrated the Scottish art of spinning wool.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382484414913202"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1I4rmiWrI/AAAAAAAAG9s/WUJ-g1uziCY/s400/DSCF6792.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The Royal Mile, the main street in Edinburgh, stretches up to Edinburgh Castle. Here is Joseph with the Tollbooth Kirk behind, and the Outlook Tower to the left.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382518774651586"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1I6rmiWsI/AAAAAAAAG90/SI4GHDc_tM0/s400/DSCF6803.JPG" /></a><br />The kids enjoyed seeing the mirrors outside of the optical illusion museum.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382566019291858"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1I9bmiWtI/AAAAAAAAG98/pHc6vjACDAU/s400/DSCF6825.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Here are Mandy and Jenny at Edinburgh Castle.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382630443801314"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JBLmiWuI/AAAAAAAAG-E/y8SECtOFtFY/s400/DSCF6833.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382754997852946"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JIbmiWxI/AAAAAAAAG-c/zUuuEWa6QsY/s400/DSCF6881.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Joseph loved the cannons in the castle.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382681983408882"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JELmiWvI/AAAAAAAAG-M/ksJtqv0CPh4/s400/DSCF6873.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382729228049154"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JG7miWwI/AAAAAAAAG-U/shGSYVawhFk/s400/DSCF6878.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382965451250546"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JUrmiW3I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/CPTANnBZP7A/s400/DSCF7064.JPG" /></a><br />We had dinner where JK Rowling wrote much of The Sorcerer's Stone. Since she wrote the book, Nicholson's Cafe has become a Chinese restaurant.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5187382995516021634"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/R_1JWbmiW4I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/6m2QbE1qqhA/s400/DSCF7097.JPG" /></a><br />Scotland is picturesque, with its ruins, crags, lakes and swans.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5199212359165740914"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SCdQGBPlB3I/AAAAAAAAHKw/QibSwORBBTI/s400/DSCF6939.JPG" /></a><br />We spent a morning at Roslyn Chapel. When we arrived, it was snowing.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5199212535259400066"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SCdQQRPlB4I/AAAAAAAAHK4/sdlcvOzHLYI/s400/DSCF6945.JPG" /></a><br />Roslyn Chapel is as beautiful from the outside as the inside. Stairs lead to a walkway along the perimeter of the chapel. We attended a service, and afterward chatted with several members of the congregation. The priest was a pathologist, so had something in common with Joseph. I wish I could have taken photos inside the chapel, as it was very beautiful.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/EdinburghAndYorkshire/photo#5199212728532928402"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jhmcdermott/SCdQbhPlB5I/AAAAAAAAHLA/FhwBP_PGMKw/s400/DSCF6955.JPG" /></a><br />Roslyn Castle is a ruin. Here it is, seen from Roslyn Chapel.Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-71396833686817828102008-03-31T14:09:00.019+01:002008-03-31T18:10:05.239+01:00Snowy Easter Day<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831272074993650"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CrE6uXX_I/AAAAAAAAGxA/ZcCXhMriLws/s400/DSCF6566.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The kids watching it snow through the window<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831448168652850"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CrPKuXYDI/AAAAAAAAG3s/lOS-N2nzCEM/s400/DSCF6570.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Making a run for it!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831589902573666"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CrXauXYGI/AAAAAAAAG34/MLKQsRikHcU/s400/DSCF6573.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Emily playing in the snow. Joey watching his footprints.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831675801919618"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CrcauXYII/AAAAAAAAG4A/7GLwHhUNRok/s400/DSCF6575.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Arriving at Church. The kids go check out the hedges covered in snow.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831744521396386"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CrgauXYKI/AAAAAAAAG4M/VSgwirDzTTw/s400/DSCF6577.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Emily takes every opportunity to walk in the snow.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831783176102066"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CriquXYLI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/q4j6JUvkuJ0/s400/DSCF6578.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Mandy and Jenny in the Church Parking Lot<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183831881960349906"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_CroauXYNI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/9SsCbLR0N6Q/s400/DSCF6580.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Home again--much of the snow is gone and soon the rain will melt the rest. Well, it was fun while it lasted!<br /><br />Notice in the following videos our Homemade Easter Baskets. Our "real" ones must still be packed up somewhere.... so we got creative with paper sacks and yarn.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">T<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">h</span>e E<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">a</span>s<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">t</span>e<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">r</span> E<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">g</span>g <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">H</span>u<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">n</span>t<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/78HAASqljFE"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/78HAASqljFE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5_G7Pp3rsqw"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5_G7Pp3rsqw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object></span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183848512073720114"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_C6wauXYTI/AAAAAAAAGzw/kKjs7g0ul0M/s400/DSCF6587.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jhmcdermott/Easter/photo#5183848589383131474"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jhmcdermott/R_C606uXYVI/AAAAAAAAG0A/vMvRga8ut6M/s400/DSCF6589.JPG.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Dividing up the spoils.Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-3798234537163840672008-03-18T20:59:00.003+00:002008-03-18T23:19:56.681+00:00EasterSome of you might have noticed the change in the look of my blog. With Easter around the corner and the beginning of Spring, I thought it fitting to add color to my page. Here in the UK the bushes are getting greener and many of the trees are full of blossoms. The yellow daffodils are standing tall and other flowers are poking up their green heads. New life is beginning and some life is beginning anew. <br /><br />How many of us have not felt the cold of winter? or the darkness of night? and in contrast, the warmth and light of the Sun? I've always gotten really excited when the sun peaks its head out after a long winter, but I am especially grateful this Spring. I've never experienced so much darkness in a Winter before this year.<br /><br />My thoughts turn to the Book of Mormon story following the crucifixion of Jesus. The darkness was so thick, they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces, nor could they light a candle to get light. There was nothing but darkness for three days straight. I imagine children clinging to their mothers for comfort and wives turning to their husbands. When suddenly they hear a voice, a still small voice, yet it pierces them to their core. They look and see the Resurrected Savior descending from Heaven. What a marvelous sight to see his light in contrast to the darkness. <br /><br />I've felt for some time now that the Spring is Heavenly Father's way of reminding us each year of the light the Savior brought to the world. Each winter we experience an added measure of darkness, and each Spring, the world gets brighter and more beautiful. Easter is a celebration of the light the Son of God gave to each one of us, the new beginning he offered us. Just as there is new life all around us each Spring, so Jesus gave his life so that we could live again. He went through the darkest of hours prior to his death so we would not have to if we repent and become clean of our sins. I'm thankful for my Savior's love. I'm thankful for His light. And I'm thankful for Spring.Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-43533397003631211492008-02-27T02:05:00.003+00:002008-02-27T03:07:42.876+00:00I’ve been tagged for info on Joseph and IHis full name: Joseph Harris McDermott<br /><br />How long have you been married: 10 years on June 13th<br /><br />How long did we date: 4 years (if you count my mission, which really doesn’t count)<br /><br />Who said I love you first: I honestly can’t remember.<br /><br />Who sings better: We met in Choir so we both sing, but I enjoy it more.<br /><br />Who's smarter: Joseph (I could never be a Pathologist)<br /><br />Who does the laundry: Joseph washes the whites and his socks when he runs out. I do the rest.<br /><br />Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: Joseph<br /><br />Who mows the lawn: So far, since we moved to England, we pay the neighbor to do it.<br /><br />Who cooks dinner: Joseph cooks meals when he can tell I need a break. Otherwise I make the meals.<br /><br />Who drives: I drive when I can tell Joseph is sick of it.<br /><br />Who's more stubborn: Definitely me, though he has his moments.<br /><br />Who kissed who first: This could go down as one my most embarrassing moments. He kissed me and he was my first kiss so I had no idea what I was doing (and he could tell).<br /><br />Who asked who out first: Technically he asked me out. I suggested we all (in our carpool) have a picnic because it was such a beautiful day. He dropped the other girl off and then asked me if I wanted to go on a picnic today with him.<br /><br />Who proposed: Joseph (unofficially while I was on my mission) and again in March (4 years after we started dating)<br /><br />Who has more siblings: Jenny (has 8 siblings).<br /><br />Who wears the pants of the family: I’d have to say me when it comes to discipline, and Joseph when it comes to family outings.<br /><br />I tag: Molly, Juliann, Patsy, and AllisonJoseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-73195220705144138382008-02-27T01:10:00.009+00:002008-03-05T14:10:13.456+00:00Quotable Quotes and Sweet Moments With the Kids<span style="font-size:130%;">A few weeks ago, Joseph was looking at Mandy who had enraptured him with her soft features and beautiful, expressive eyes. He said, “Mandy, what are we going to do when you aren’t a baby anymore? Should we have another baby?” And she said definitively, “No! <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> be the baby.”<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">We were sitting in Sacrament Meeting two weeks ago and I was trying to help Joey be reverent. I took one of my primary visual aides, a frog on a stick, and put it in his shirt pocket. I explained that if he was reverent, the frog would stay. Several times I had taken it out and he had to earn it back by showing me what it was to be reverent. He seemed extra thoughtful that week as they passed the sacrament and I reminded him to think about Jesus. When the sacrament was over he said, “I know Jesus has a tender heart, and he would be very sad to live on the Earth today and wouldn’t like us to get hurt.” I couldn’t help but think of the war in Iraq and all the places where people are killing other people. I couldn’t help but remember the last time I spanked Joey and he told me, we couldn’t live together forever if we spank our kids. I can’t help but think of so many times when I have gotten angry with him and he cries, and throws his arms around me and says in sobs, “I love you so much!” Is that the sweetest ever? He is such a good example to me of love.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A few nights ago Emily was playing with her cousin, Jaxon, when I pulled her away to finish homework that was due the next day. She had spent her normal homework time playing and it was now 8:00 p.m. Her homework had waited long enough. She wanted to play and was in no mood to be doing reading worksheets. She complained of her responsibility and accused me for her unfinished work. When I had suffered enough of her wrath, I left her room with the words, “Just turn it in blank and see what [her teacher] Ms. Wilson says about that.” Cold and frazzled, I entered my bedroom, locked the door, turned off my light, and curled up in my bed. Only moments had gone by when Emily, with a soft voice, came to my door and said, “I have something for you.” For Valentine’s Day I had given each of my kids a book of coupons to express my love. “It’s a coupon,” she said. How could my heart not soften? I turned on the light and read the coupon she had slid under the door, “one hour of my time.” I went to her room where she willingly read me the remaining story. She then told me, “I was saving this coupon for something really important. I knew something like this would happen.” Very appropriately, her book was entitled, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Loving</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, and related the many things parents do for their children that show they care. Her worksheet instructed her to list 10 ways her parents show their love for her. At the bottom the instructions read, “Now go give them a hug.” And she did. I couldn’t have been happier with my Emily than I was that night.<br /><br /><br /></span>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-17098632885046400962008-01-22T00:17:00.000+00:002008-01-22T01:41:08.241+00:00Freezy Joey Eating Ice Cream in Rome...<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Fuf41oK9Ms&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Fuf41oK9Ms&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I haven't posted anything in a while and I came across this video that is so sad it's funny. The poor guy is so cold he can't even talk! Keep in mind we went to Rome in November, not the warmest time of year, and this shop is not one you can close the door on and stay a little bit warm. It is pretty open and the breeze, I'm sure, is blowing on him. Yet he keeps eating his ice cream! It must have been very good!Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-84382481575247522622008-01-09T00:44:00.000+00:002008-01-11T13:12:04.040+00:00Emily's Class Christmas Party<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">These pictures say so much about Emily. You see her sweetness, her excitment, her patience, and her enjoyment. It paints a picture that is so Emily, my sweet 6 year old. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOlIfD56vBZuMiyCZaZ8KLeRSdSozPWvapyww4w-XvTvDwkgvhNmumdo9nztxV5v_MaPAiyqGAP0yQ5odnymvUff1z7kaN8_yZWnTpLnzFig9BqDF_F8zS-I7xukHSPg5hrfWfm9AbUM/s1600-h/collage+Emily+Santa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153280327847093746" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 427px; height: 437px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOlIfD56vBZuMiyCZaZ8KLeRSdSozPWvapyww4w-XvTvDwkgvhNmumdo9nztxV5v_MaPAiyqGAP0yQ5odnymvUff1z7kaN8_yZWnTpLnzFig9BqDF_F8zS-I7xukHSPg5hrfWfm9AbUM/s400/collage+Emily+Santa.jpg" border="0" height="478" width="455" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwarCPO8C5nqTatm05oEmN0Z7VaD6ideXORCnql4y96LYLQRCovVla2muUAO5UvPOjGOEnmFtaiCftVvC7KrPxtWaziI9q16Uqd2qpqTQntQLBnD3WNhUWHNkXsJ3tPXT0J3U8oAwnDA/s1600-h/IMGP0378+copy+Emily%27s+question+for+Santa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153273928345822690" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwarCPO8C5nqTatm05oEmN0Z7VaD6ideXORCnql4y96LYLQRCovVla2muUAO5UvPOjGOEnmFtaiCftVvC7KrPxtWaziI9q16Uqd2qpqTQntQLBnD3WNhUWHNkXsJ3tPXT0J3U8oAwnDA/s400/IMGP0378+copy+Emily%27s+question+for+Santa.jpg" border="0" /></a> Emily has a question for Santa (isnt' that the most angelic face?)<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs0C7prc5LqfUb2_9pEtvTmykxk9E8_fSGQEkkK9Tr-8QMNKrrjHgmklBpzRI98mf40zsu10n4xxK8ZTzQav2UO117lW5v9gRBuO0_AWCxI7jGpGbQfCZlBVr7VsPtRMs3qUxTDkc864/s1600-h/IMGP0375.JPG"></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIlv3aiwTnRuz_HWwWhDwoOw2AktKjslEd8JLiiF56BEWLbhOAlAA9v4vq2Qnt6_mRDm3JMFngINLvwUwLMNpq38gO3vkOr5pIX4E2RoPmdPRDiHkdA6VUH01Wbq72G3R4_Mu8h63Xd8/s1600-h/IMGP0381.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIlv3aiwTnRuz_HWwWhDwoOw2AktKjslEd8JLiiF56BEWLbhOAlAA9v4vq2Qnt6_mRDm3JMFngINLvwUwLMNpq38gO3vkOr5pIX4E2RoPmdPRDiHkdA6VUH01Wbq72G3R4_Mu8h63Xd8/s320/IMGP0381.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Emily's been waiting to get her present from Santa and it's finally her turn<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEqul_VV6NwA68yT20wS0Iy36g7TtHCTWBjlRgHSi6WG_MqCbPihgSVPzJeyQlQRhceZtby33IUuWHT1DZnX48Ls3FIH2VN5O43J8S-W9D2nTg0hc6VxDMIVcXjGIWJu3yv9LtI5XANo/s1600-h/IMGP0386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEqul_VV6NwA68yT20wS0Iy36g7TtHCTWBjlRgHSi6WG_MqCbPihgSVPzJeyQlQRhceZtby33IUuWHT1DZnX48Ls3FIH2VN5O43J8S-W9D2nTg0hc6VxDMIVcXjGIWJu3yv9LtI5XANo/s320/IMGP0386.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div><div align="center">Patiently waiting for everyone to get their gifts so they can open them all together</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqKiD32J5RFlc-6u9Gs-yTxLhcmzbhstZJvnijYh_CZBl5aGXWE68N3QKCNEA1ZQubs96ooo3Eg69StgM-HVjFcsI14nxHB0evj1_jWVFcSdBJNDJgX_mTf19Tl0-MMybB-_lOLYHIwo/s1600-h/IMGP0388.JPG"></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153272562546222530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf1V3wpDur3WYvzAxGkJ0oDr042MPR9BIQF8ooICcmGI0kywcx6kAHiAiKn0obJAU08A-GJa8yiBsflTpCvks2TEtSyru0VTIrHwXxt5aYpoATQaMAfZS5tPDHB8N4rLmtRhZFQioPtw/s400/IMGP0388+copy+Emily+opening+present.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ripping the box apart to get her present</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153272996337919442" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTUPlvVoHS5uvIusxIczSdFL9Vx-gQWjAuMEoNltGhgFngJhSYQKbAaO_4UHTG6w3IDzKyxhW0KBsbUoIn6lOqaVAGgtEE00dAXSQYfwLJdPFRiq2fyijXMdY6L2uT2AVZLkftovd24w/s400/IMGP0391+copy+Emily+loves+her+slippers.jpg" border="0" />She loves them! </div></div></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-24592671900473682942008-01-08T02:59:00.000+00:002008-01-08T03:07:22.305+00:00Christmas Eve Signs<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF18Ey9xGrbeeUTmRze8I91cSqdFwFKetMZThWlfw0SgCZOlttPk4zzrWRaLo79MggcRXYDUkSRgZCwQOwSsq5AW4kFyJSQO_vaCdFAKaOYQob1UzneamPVq5YxvUXkZw0iY8ph9gwyw/s1600-h/DSCF5443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF18Ey9xGrbeeUTmRze8I91cSqdFwFKetMZThWlfw0SgCZOlttPk4zzrWRaLo79MggcRXYDUkSRgZCwQOwSsq5AW4kFyJSQO_vaCdFAKaOYQob1UzneamPVq5YxvUXkZw0iY8ph9gwyw/s400/DSCF5443.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This deserves it's own entry. All on her own, Emily made these signs for Santa on Christmas Eve letting him know what she wants. She says, "I would like a dog like this one." If you look closely, you see arrows to let Santa know where the stockings and tree are. Then she adds, "I like you." What a cutie!</span><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-3206693287018832502007-12-17T22:32:00.000+00:002008-01-08T23:47:46.958+00:00Making Gingerbread Houses<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Whites had us over to make gingerbread houses. Missy and I had spent a good part of the day getting ready for it, making the pieces from Gingerbread dough.<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pKkWoP-w568DYEiEaxDi53Od1hU2gCd9aBeP0t5DaPR9TPZVMznRZiKGBCdPWBAujqAYbV65_wEY8ZZgUF-4ErYczhbVsMkyGqgTFj02E2VLEaS8bWKlVvSEzXVTlHUmagXDWCAVzuk/s1600-h/DSCF5300.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pKkWoP-w568DYEiEaxDi53Od1hU2gCd9aBeP0t5DaPR9TPZVMznRZiKGBCdPWBAujqAYbV65_wEY8ZZgUF-4ErYczhbVsMkyGqgTFj02E2VLEaS8bWKlVvSEzXVTlHUmagXDWCAVzuk/s400/DSCF5300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153250830011704658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS3cl0fm6QkWG1t3oesZLSCA6piZpYRrHqeLJFuu3vvAxkHpVXyOCCh5TKhrAwaAINRA2JlvHoq0_LjJAES5fWcTjotyzlSmpGzsJ5LthEZwL4lA29YiAWlvtFUklvu0nKOBNyLw0OWA/s1600-h/IMGP0347+copy+Dad+Emily+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS3cl0fm6QkWG1t3oesZLSCA6piZpYRrHqeLJFuu3vvAxkHpVXyOCCh5TKhrAwaAINRA2JlvHoq0_LjJAES5fWcTjotyzlSmpGzsJ5LthEZwL4lA29YiAWlvtFUklvu0nKOBNyLw0OWA/s400/IMGP0347+copy+Dad+Emily+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153250366155236674" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4cEp1MCk7HFXNUEd7NiaU_QMjyj2x41LKP87TWrmp0pxVhdZ1soDvs-QzjHnSo9lci-Z1gis87xmU5a0gUeyccVv2PaH0pAc8cd2SF9OsSWHeG3J-xkSJnniig49DFtj3ITirUuCLaA/s1600-h/DSCF5289+copy+Joey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152907090894103714" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 255px; height: 309px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4cEp1MCk7HFXNUEd7NiaU_QMjyj2x41LKP87TWrmp0pxVhdZ1soDvs-QzjHnSo9lci-Z1gis87xmU5a0gUeyccVv2PaH0pAc8cd2SF9OsSWHeG3J-xkSJnniig49DFtj3ITirUuCLaA/s320/DSCF5289+copy+Joey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Each kid (except Liam) had their own house and their</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> own adult to help them, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa being in town.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Mandy surprised me the most. I didn't realize she would have so much to say about her house. She showed me each place to "put the white" (frosting) and picked what candy went there.</span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0ArdgFyCM-B268Ky4y90R7xIOVXJmfzZSGUgJjEydXoiLK7s5eAJLBc9zARw4VSUtJDaDWw8kv6bsUq99joMuXUIagXS90Cd9Xbahr6M6C973O6TUKbZA3cFwJ8RxMt5rWJHKLKFj8A/s1600-h/DSCF5295.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0ArdgFyCM-B268Ky4y90R7xIOVXJmfzZSGUgJjEydXoiLK7s5eAJLBc9zARw4VSUtJDaDWw8kv6bsUq99joMuXUIagXS90Cd9Xbahr6M6C973O6TUKbZA3cFwJ8RxMt5rWJHKLKFj8A/s400/DSCF5295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153254124251620722" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3danBU5HjWMewOYyCKczv1tlk4kP5jr1PITH4mrv_iRfVySMM3nmyGW8qYPjTQaRe0ajPvLcpiPX_UWAhHSmBrc0vMA7ixrC6a1HFTK7Dn13XOn88I0VsQZapHl1g8F8y2KrOvqU_KE/s1600-h/DSCF5305+copy+Missy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3danBU5HjWMewOYyCKczv1tlk4kP5jr1PITH4mrv_iRfVySMM3nmyGW8qYPjTQaRe0ajPvLcpiPX_UWAhHSmBrc0vMA7ixrC6a1HFTK7Dn13XOn88I0VsQZapHl1g8F8y2KrOvqU_KE/s400/DSCF5305+copy+Missy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153253102049404258" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152917592089142530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 361px; height: 339px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-wEQWnzYK82JrHY9rQpz3-Xuw4NToKdaYBuBDWsPpBhGAm7Ri6DjsrQHMVIiw_LxSQT5RztkT7Y6WYizVkmcalC-wLrUN0d4C7RSn48ubTvgvcS67-hYoPBnyHZQ7Mc1Y1YP_vzm3PA/s400/DSCF5315+copy+Joey.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">We all had a great time, and each kid was very pleased with their final creation!</span><br /></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-3950738840212812732007-12-13T22:25:00.000+00:002008-01-06T21:50:19.339+00:00Picking out the treeHere's a post I started a while back but finally got around to putting up.<br /><br />We went to Elveden Forest to pick out a tree. It was one of the coldest nights yet and the kids wanted to be inside.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSzdRJ5IsEYZyIaXRcnDsQVz1SQ924Fo9LMswxa2Y3QDpIwM-wx8LeAi9ZxUk1tSkpVQmGd1Bhr0OYp9SGvnKLkCJNuwZx3PHl_fYeHppNhJjw1qAk7hYf5KM-QiIezp4PxYB1Rm-ihM/s1600-h/DSCF4831.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSzdRJ5IsEYZyIaXRcnDsQVz1SQ924Fo9LMswxa2Y3QDpIwM-wx8LeAi9ZxUk1tSkpVQmGd1Bhr0OYp9SGvnKLkCJNuwZx3PHl_fYeHppNhJjw1qAk7hYf5KM-QiIezp4PxYB1Rm-ihM/s320/DSCF4831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143593159765371730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6LjK3XVR4-tsGOhzPoWzQYxfaWIZyY1q0HhVOW7Qd8f4PZPGnXr9XDimyj6Xn4c1mcbp0K89wUM96kxSEtoF76zJOJkFlrm6bY0PE3neSznF1lMc_P7LbvIZzC1PiKdF4u3_v-VWutE/s1600-h/DSCF4832.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6LjK3XVR4-tsGOhzPoWzQYxfaWIZyY1q0HhVOW7Qd8f4PZPGnXr9XDimyj6Xn4c1mcbp0K89wUM96kxSEtoF76zJOJkFlrm6bY0PE3neSznF1lMc_P7LbvIZzC1PiKdF4u3_v-VWutE/s320/DSCF4832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143593782535629666" border="0" /></a></div>Emily was the most opinionated out of all of us. "Can we go now!" "None of these look like <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> tree!" "Okay, this one looks <span style="font-style: italic;">kind</span> of like it."<br /><br />We had a fake tree for most of Emily's life. We bought it when she was 2 and had it till we left San Antonio, so she thought our tree had to look the same. Luckily we found one with approximately the same shape. Unfortunately, the place closed shortly before we arrived and we had to return another day to get our tree (a different one of course).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFYhFQ3hNQy7OUZqEsAVe1L6Y3Jc8nuyH6oRfWAUeTAmHUg8nBkSRCmgBQOE4h5V6Ub2jz9huvA-T-6aVacJ52synIgUAGv3JZL3gdB-qbE_lXH4ZbwAneHYjJcMXHRweKH_UJKneZCw/s1600-h/DSCF4840.JPG"><blockquote></blockquote></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/R379s6lVo_I/AAAAAAAAGOQ/XXybOwiqDhM/s1600-h/DSCF4840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_jCBqp0HwQCc/R379s6lVo_I/AAAAAAAAGOQ/XXybOwiqDhM/s320/DSCF4840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151833971840361458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Emily watching the tree get it's net on.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOAhySBS-xP-Uvl3EQc3Py-kxvnldMLcHbZy7HFLi9S1vm53icr9orLPSa-6B5QFeL4Kq7buKcU8AXMww_4fLDQpDZre-2Q_YVcRty-C-LtjExuKTcwOamid5PXpjd8Ya_4t7NLCONQI/s1600-h/DSCF4842.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOAhySBS-xP-Uvl3EQc3Py-kxvnldMLcHbZy7HFLi9S1vm53icr9orLPSa-6B5QFeL4Kq7buKcU8AXMww_4fLDQpDZre-2Q_YVcRty-C-LtjExuKTcwOamid5PXpjd8Ya_4t7NLCONQI/s320/DSCF4842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151835174431204354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlAlVRN9RNgUilBT7Yioo0142FLPpYLxWj_HWTY974gYZFE0K7TJLhHd9Lo26vdQKhD2FQoxKHxJpbfB0roP-2IySTrC-HmTryPLtifPaPjepoOU2KSkn9roTM0wxYdJlXLVeMb3w1XY/s1600-h/DSCF4843.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlAlVRN9RNgUilBT7Yioo0142FLPpYLxWj_HWTY974gYZFE0K7TJLhHd9Lo26vdQKhD2FQoxKHxJpbfB0roP-2IySTrC-HmTryPLtifPaPjepoOU2KSkn9roTM0wxYdJlXLVeMb3w1XY/s320/DSCF4843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151835921755513874" border="0" /></a><br />After it was all netted up and ready to go on the roof, Emily says, "Hay, wait! I think a different one looks like our tree!" "Sorry Emily, too late!"Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-79377026541146755462007-12-02T19:02:00.000+00:002007-12-02T19:15:38.621+00:00I'm officially crazyIn a rush to dress the kids for Church by myself (my husband had to go in to work for the day), I grab Mandy's nylons to put them on her. She fusses and complains, but I firmly put her hands down and tell her she doesn't have a choice. Normally I listen when she fusses, but not today. I don't have time. I grab Joey's socks, do Emily's hair. Soon Mandy comes complaining to me saying, "Ma-ma! I pee-pee in my dress." As if to say, "Why didn't you listen to me when I when I was trying to tell you to put a diaper on me?"Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-29167162084025686352007-12-02T01:00:00.000+00:002007-12-02T18:52:06.737+00:00Christmas musingsI sit down to write my annual Christmas letter and I look at what has happened this year. It seems a lot more than what happened in everyday life. Everyday life gets bogged down with chores like housecleaning, getting kids to school, going to work, eating breakfast in the morning. And sometimes it seems that is all that there is. But when I look at my family with the new light of Christmas shining on them, things magically change. I love Christmas. It’s always been my favorite time of year. I love the decorations on the light-poles and the Christmas tree. I love the cinnamon smell of candles. I love to reflect on how the birth of one baby changed the entire universe. It makes Christmas time special. All of a sudden, the warm laundry coming out of the dryer is a sign of God’s love for me, not just a task I’m required to complete. Grocery shopping turns into a time to reflect on my family’s needs and how I can serve them so they feel love surrounding them, and protecting them from the harsh world. Suddenly there is a lot more warmth and happiness. Suddenly there is a lot more peace.<br /><br />P E A C E –I received my stocking-holders that I ordered in the mail the other day in these letters. Emily asked me why do we have the word Peace on our mantle at Christmas time. Joseph said it better than I could. He said “that is what Jesus brought to the Earth. “<br /><br />In the turmoil of everyday life, we can look to the Savior and live in peace. How fitting it is that the world lights more candles at this time of year, and puts up more lights. Because Jesus is the light of the world and we celebrate his light coming into the world. To quote my favorite Christmas movie, “It’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-42578877040661459482007-11-29T08:59:00.001+00:002007-12-02T19:17:57.837+00:00Our Fabulous trip to Rome Nov 8-13<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w167.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/7959aafd.pbw" height="480" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/?action=view¤t=7959aafd.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-43401310748967437392007-11-27T09:35:00.000+00:002007-12-10T22:21:32.252+00:00Thanksgiving and the ill-fated roll storyThanksgiving was interesting this year. Very different. We had Thanksgiving Dinner at church with a whole lot of people from the ward. I guess, there are plenty of people here that don't have family nearby to eat Thanksgiving dinner with. I made rolls from scratch for the first time in my life (which just didn't quite make it cooked to the Dinner). I also made pecan pie and jello-salad.<br /><br />The ill-fated roll story:<br /><br />The dough rose just like it was supposed to. I rolled a bunch of little balls and positioned them in the pan. Great so far. They rise to double just like they're supposed to. They are about to go in the oven. I move the roll pan from the top of the oven to the chair so I can take the pecan pie out of the oven. Joey proceeds to get up on the chair to see the pecan pie ...... and squashes the rolls. I take the foil off the rolls and see the pattern of Joey's corduroy jeans in the squashed dough, which looks nothing like little balls anymore.<br /><br />I knead the dough, reform it into little balls, knowing I can't wait for them to cook because if we do, we'll be later than we already are. Joseph puts the completed pan in the box to take, when Mandy puts her hand in the dough ...and squashes them ...again. We take the squashed, uncooked rolls to church, hoping we can somehow salvage and cook them there.<br /><br />We get to the church and there is an oven that is already hot. I am hopeful we can actually have hot home-made rolls for dinner--that perhaps it worked out better this way. But the pan is too big for the British oven. And the rolls go into the fridge till the end of the night, taken home, and cooked the next day. The Whites and McDermotts enjoy the entire batch of rolls the day after Thanksgiving despite the mishaps of the previous night. To quote Joseph, "The rolls are not pretty, but they are sincere."<br /><br />The Pecan Pie:<br />The Pecan pie makes it to the church with a little more flour in the filling than there ought to be in it (in case you didn't catch that . . . more flour than there ought to be in it . . . ) Flour is generally not an ingredient in pecan-pie filling. Mandy was enjoying helping and was absolutely crushed when Mommy took a fit about her ruined pie. Luckily you couldn't see the flour in it till the next day when we had left-overs and the pie went cloudy.<br /><br />The Jello Salad:<br />It set up this year, thankfully. Something I made turned out fine.<br /><br />The Kitchen:<br />No, I didn't bring the kitchen for Thanksgiving dinner, but it was a complete disaster when we got home and Joseph joked that next year I'm not allowed to make pecan pie, and especially no rolls. (He didn't say anything about the jello-salad) and shhhh, hopefully he will forget by next year.Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-23884788933119684942007-11-26T18:12:00.001+00:002007-11-27T21:43:38.496+00:00Everyday Life<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><br />Emily is in first gra</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >de, learning to read and write. It is much more work than Kindergarten and she spends time every weekday with at least 30 minutes of homework. Her teacher's program is very structured and Emily knows exactly what is expected of her. She is one of the best students in her class for getting work done on time. She enjoys school and is eager to learn new things. She hasn't lost her creative spark. Her original sentences for homework make her teacher smile when she writes, "Are you sure you have a horse who can play the violin?" "Yes, look in the t</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >ree!" And then you see her drawing of a horse playing a violin in a tree.</span><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Joey goes to British preschool two days a week when we are not traveling or when he isn't sick. He's missed quite a few days since he started in August. He likes school because it makes him feel like a big kid. On days he i</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >sn't going to school he hangs out with his cousin, </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">McKinzie</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" > White, next door. We can't seem to keep them away from each other. Either Joey is there or </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">McKinzie</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" > is here most days of the week. The two of them are little rascals together.</span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC4hLfW8DXezZy5aUBTgLst0Xad7pFQxr7tFXqRqthZWi9BvD4h4iMk6vmWQJx6T8hx2cpr2Ci4sleabRciwAbE1Lv66dwJtAsZtZmBfWeMRoUNfcZkRQXTPnq2Um1DoY5MPKj56Gr-I/s1600-h/DSCF2679.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC4hLfW8DXezZy5aUBTgLst0Xad7pFQxr7tFXqRqthZWi9BvD4h4iMk6vmWQJx6T8hx2cpr2Ci4sleabRciwAbE1Lv66dwJtAsZtZmBfWeMRoUNfcZkRQXTPnq2Um1DoY5MPKj56Gr-I/s320/DSCF2679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137506007695376050" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GU06GjLdy0VVYEiCWQB_abZq6JaPwsAx1YZ949KsopTs4pAgp92JigNJSzeoVMdVLgxk6_ubEaZdOkzQKYSQ8jI9fHn-uUGFwoLwdBUVb416TSqMrPCH02zqBL69qYErPP7Anrlvth0/s1600-h/DSCF1963.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GU06GjLdy0VVYEiCWQB_abZq6JaPwsAx1YZ949KsopTs4pAgp92JigNJSzeoVMdVLgxk6_ubEaZdOkzQKYSQ8jI9fHn-uUGFwoLwdBUVb416TSqMrPCH02zqBL69qYErPP7Anrlvth0/s320/DSCF1963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137512987017232066" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Mandy is two. It says a lot. She is really into doing things her own way and insists on it. Her famous line is, "No Mommy, I do it." She says it from everything to buckling her car-seat to picking out her movie. She is generally sweet, however, despite her two-</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">ness</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Joseph is enjoying more time since residency ended. He has fun on the computer many evenings and some weekends when we have nothing else planned. He loves taking pictures and rarely leaves the house without the camera, even if it's just to church (he often takes the kids somewhere while he's waiting for choir to get over). In his free time, when he's not taking pictures, he's uploading them to the computer or the </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">internet</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >November's total pictures were about 400 or so. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >He has all his favorites uploaded to </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Picasa</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >He's also been getting up early some mornings to practice the piano. He plays for Primary and has been busy learning songs for the upcoming program. The Primary President complimented him last week on his playing, saying she could tell that his practice has been paying off.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Jenny just feels busy. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" > She loves her new calling of Primary Chorister. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >With the upcoming Primary Program, she has been scrambling to get the kids ready and work out the small details, like solos, ensembles, etc. On top of primary, she has been Christmas shopping (online) and working on the house. She finally got the last box unpacked last week. There is still much to do to get the house in order, as she tries to manage the lack of storage space in her new house. Every time she does a load of laundry, though, she is thankful for an American size washer and dryer (the European size is very small, like 4-5 pairs of jeans, or one coat). She enjoys going to choir after church, which is 35 minutes from our home, so Joseph graciously takes the kids for a drive and then comes back to pick her up. He definitely goes the extra mile for me, which I appreciate very much.<br /></span></p>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-76575739516289449712007-09-30T21:29:00.000+01:002007-11-30T21:30:33.289+00:00Bath, England<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w167.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/44d35e56.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/?action=view¤t=44d35e56.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-16755572241018287042007-09-29T21:42:00.000+01:002007-11-30T21:48:20.553+00:00WalesWe had a wonderful trip to Wales in September.<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w167.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/10b76eca.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jmcder2/?action=view¤t=10b76eca.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627314372694307367.post-53003832973463731882007-08-03T20:08:00.000+01:002007-11-26T18:24:35.436+00:00Moving to England<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Cw9qtpyLmMbE4URkfX4K7Ejwc4BZ9RMbaExFk_XYoTnij_4Jdzt9yAWjovhI0ZbmJjRPW062d1C2pLLmRfVRxPQIE-TjOQbZSJf-LYqBoFd9rgGBne1khfPqcVD2d91rs-Zw1ZaqpSs/s1600-h/DSCF1685.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Cw9qtpyLmMbE4URkfX4K7Ejwc4BZ9RMbaExFk_XYoTnij_4Jdzt9yAWjovhI0ZbmJjRPW062d1C2pLLmRfVRxPQIE-TjOQbZSJf-LYqBoFd9rgGBne1khfPqcVD2d91rs-Zw1ZaqpSs/s320/DSCF1685.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In August, our family moved from San Antonio Texas to Feltwell, England, after spending a month in Utah visiting family and friends. Here we are on our flight out of Chicago, with Joey and Emily checking out their remote controls. Our flight left in the afternoon and arrived in the London, Heathrow airport the next morning. We were glad to get though customs and to our hotel room.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLN2N6oJTPBmNROey9FWhWPfdHjQd95enmvtepxVD76QzSjEBbrMhOXtz8HrpXuhKCqsOtRGvmpv77rpSIkw5vSY6uscLeqzcvrX7BEEFGTdnAWARl_Va0xaCvznQDHZBFJgslnO0Vck/s1600-h/DSCF1755.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLN2N6oJTPBmNROey9FWhWPfdHjQd95enmvtepxVD76QzSjEBbrMhOXtz8HrpXuhKCqsOtRGvmpv77rpSIkw5vSY6uscLeqzcvrX7BEEFGTdnAWARl_Va0xaCvznQDHZBFJgslnO0Vck/s320/DSCF1755.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of our first ventures out after arriving in England was to Thetford. The bridge in the background was made in 1823, and replaced a wooded structure that carried all traffic from London to Norwich through the Middle Ages. We bought pizza nearby, and had a picnic by the Little Ouse River. Here are Joey, Emily and Jenny admiring the swans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ecGILhvSyvV9bc3RuShUTM77EAfXgJd3wT71BPk72lGdu4T5SA-uqbvM27wCZwIuxJffhh-YnN-5PCQg2QNimohXBZSI-yWE8ZySE3aau8bQLDfY8vx1B6NLLXbXyqMTZcxhtmFEXs/s1600-h/DSCF1759.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ecGILhvSyvV9bc3RuShUTM77EAfXgJd3wT71BPk72lGdu4T5SA-uqbvM27wCZwIuxJffhh-YnN-5PCQg2QNimohXBZSI-yWE8ZySE3aau8bQLDfY8vx1B6NLLXbXyqMTZcxhtmFEXs/s320/DSCF1759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127995560031740674" border="0" /></a><br />Mandy loved seeing the swans, too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsFmSiugQM9MmzbNdc4f6TQ8634S0xnX0cndowNTMG50Eqj8eWNxbXTNSBWqIe9czbEzHBjxSHhyphenhyphenLgRC3aUcCt3LucgANjvx6aw4-FEJPJxiPnT1dbamHXTgcAVyZQQCpVBNc6GxM40E/s1600-h/DSCF1791.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsFmSiugQM9MmzbNdc4f6TQ8634S0xnX0cndowNTMG50Eqj8eWNxbXTNSBWqIe9czbEzHBjxSHhyphenhyphenLgRC3aUcCt3LucgANjvx6aw4-FEJPJxiPnT1dbamHXTgcAVyZQQCpVBNc6GxM40E/s320/DSCF1791.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After our picnic by the river, we walked to a local park and climbed Castle Hill, which at 80 feet is one of the largest man-made mounds in the country. Here are Jenny and Joey, almost to the top. A wooden castle stood here, built shortly after William the Conquerer arrived. I'm still adjusting to the reality of living among so much history. In the US, history is mostly something found in books or the classroom -- often abstract and distant. Here in England, the hills, roads and buildings are saturated with it, and I get the sense of how short a human life really is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMnYggolMlLWWirNbw7DEINu4UmQdjUt0KwTiqeOaA0FazoZmEfWddlbFSMF9RAI_srhAuKZURj9_vmMPLOXvWrnQAUat_q2bNH-ZISvBprdNoL3QO0XCqrMNJC2eQ9yOtxfXbqXXhHM/s1600-h/DSCF1801.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMnYggolMlLWWirNbw7DEINu4UmQdjUt0KwTiqeOaA0FazoZmEfWddlbFSMF9RAI_srhAuKZURj9_vmMPLOXvWrnQAUat_q2bNH-ZISvBprdNoL3QO0XCqrMNJC2eQ9yOtxfXbqXXhHM/s320/DSCF1801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127953404927730386" border="0" /></a>Joseph and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356892029440824760noreply@blogger.com0